Dylan Raiola threw for 185 yards and a touchdown as Nebraska used a strong defensive effort to build a big lead and defeat Colorado 28-10 on Saturday night. The game became a tough battle in the second half.
“We wanted to come out strong and show our dominance,” said defensive lineman Ty Robinson. “We wanted them to really feel our presence.”
The Cornhuskers (2-0) sacked Shedeur Sanders five times and kept up the pressure throughout the game, winning the last match in a four-game series against the Buffaloes (1-1), who had won the first three games.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule commented, “We expected this outcome and anticipated the game would be like this. We have a solid team.”
The Nebraska fans were eager for this game after last year’s 36-14 loss in Boulder, and the atmosphere before the game was intense between these old Big Eight-Big 12 rivals.
The Huskers’ 1994 national championship team and world boxing champion Terence Crawford, who lives in Omaha, led Nebraska onto the field.
Although the current teams are different from their past glory days—when Nebraska defeated a top-three team on its way to Tom Osborne’s first title—there were echoes of that era with the enthusiastic sellout crowd and strong defense. The student section rushed the field when the game ended.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders said, “The way we started was not reflective of who we are, and we never managed to get it together. Sometimes you have games like that.”
The Buffs didn’t get a first down until their fifth drive, had minus-2 yards in the first quarter, and finished with 260 total yards. Robinson’s sack led to a three-and-out on Colorado’s opening drive, and he later blocked a 29-yard field-goal attempt.
Colorado was also stopped twice on fourth-and-1, and Tommi Hill intercepted a pass from Shedeur Sanders for an easy 7-yard touchdown.
Rhule remarked, “This was a significant moment for us. It’s important to stand up to their stars because our team is the real star. Dylan is getting a lot of attention, but we have many players who could shine.”
